• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home South Africa

Pardon for Fees Must Fall activists on the cards

19 June 2018, 5:09 PM  |
Sipho Stuurman Sipho Stuurman |  @SABCNews
For some of the student activists, Free Education came at a heavy price.

For some of the student activists, Free Education came at a heavy price.

Image: SABC

For some of the student activists, Free Education came at a heavy price.

Amnesty for “Fees Must Fall” student activists is set to top the agenda of the Universities South Africa board meeting this week.

The Fees Must Fall protests in both 2015 and 2016 saw a number of students expelled from universities and some arrested.

For some of the student activists, Free Education came at a heavy price. One student is serving a five year prison sentence for burning a police vehicle in 2016.

While other students are still making court appearances. University of Pretoria Psychology graduate Rassie Rasithaba faces four charges including incitement for illegal activities and public violence.

“It’s constantly at the back of my mind when I think of applying for a particular scholarship to continue my study, when I think of applying at a certain university, this thing is hanging because I always have to disclose that and you almost feel that both corporate and academia have this keep far away from these ones,” said Rasithaba.

Following on Youth Day calls by the EFF, Rasethaba says President Ramaphosa should pardon Fees Must Fall student activists.

“We believe that it would only be fair, correct and just for the president, the NPA, justice ministry and the universities to come together and drop cases and for those students that have already been convicted to be given presidential pardons,” said Rasethaba.

Former President Jacob Zuma eventually announced free higher education for the poor in December last year.

Students say it’s a serious contradiction that the government has granted free tertiary education as a result of Fees must Fall protests – recognizing it as a legitimate movement. Yet some of the student activists continue to be prosecuted by the very same state.

“When the president pronounced on free education that was a clear vindication of those students, that generation was vindicated, we achieved free education. So now we must still attend court after our grievances have been responded to by the first citizen of the country which is former president Jacob Zuma,” said Sthembiso Ndlovu, SA Union of Students.

Two years after the protests, Universities South Africa will now consider amnesty for students from the universities side.

“On the one hand there is an issue that are within the powers of the universities to deal with, on the other side there will have to be discussions with government, police and the justice system if you like, in cases where students have been found guilty by a court of law that’s outside the hands of universities,” said Professor Ahmed Bawa, CEO of Universities SA.

As a result of Fees Must Fall protests, Higher Education institutions were reported to have suffered major property damage estimated to run into billions of rands.

Share article
Tags: #Fees Must FallAmnestySA Universities
Previous Post

Boston Gay Men’s Chorus get hearty welcome in George

Next Post

VAT hike likely to affect retail sales in next quarter

Related Posts

A hospital room with beds.

Life Esidimeni inquest continues today

8 February 2023, 6:44 AM
A tap and water droplet.

Several areas in Gauteng without water

8 February 2023, 6:16 AM
A train at a station in Cape Town.

Commuters in Cape Town appeal for train services to be fully operational again

7 February 2023, 10:34 PM
[FILE IMAGE] A truck transporting water tanks.

More districts face water shortages

7 February 2023, 9:28 PM
Tottenham Hotspurs versus Chelsea

Portfolio Committee on Tourism wants Tottenham Hotspur deal scrapped

7 February 2023, 8:47 PM
File image of basic services.

Thembelihle municipality residents up in arms over lack of service delivery

7 February 2023, 2:34 PM
Next Post
According Statistics South Africa, retails fell by 1.2% in the first quarter.

VAT hike likely to affect retail sales in next quarter

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • SA Weather Service warns of maximum temperatures in Cape Town
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • Kellerman, Bantwini, Zikode win Grammy award
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • SA Weather Service warns of maximum temperatures in Cape Town
  • Parts of Umlazi to be without water for 10 days
  • JB Marks residents warned of driver license scam
  • I knew nothing about the Tottenham Hotspur deal: Sisulu
  • Police Minister approached us about the assassination plot: EFF

LATEST

A hospital room with beds.
  • South Africa

Life Esidimeni inquest continues today


Tottenham Hotspur flag
  • Business

Sisulu’s lack of knowledge regarding Tottenham deal described as ‘incredible’


A tap and water droplet.
  • South Africa

Several areas in Gauteng without water


File Image: President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and Former President Jacob Zuma.
  • Politics

Zuma vs Ramaphosa heads to the ConCourt


US President Joe Biden
  • World

American democracy, while bruised, has remained unbroken: Biden


An aerial view shows collapsed and damaged buildings after an earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, February 7
  • Turkey - Syria Earthquake
  • World

Turkey-Syria quake death toll passes 7 800


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Boston Gay Men’s Chorus get hearty welcome in George
Next VAT hike likely to affect retail sales in next quarter